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St. Tammany Parish Council narrows 2026 operating budget, removes planned COLA and targets line-item cuts
Summary
The St. Tammany Parish Council approved a package of amendments to the proposed 2026 operating budget that removes merit and cost-of-living increases, shifts several line items and identifies roughly $1,000,000 in salary-related reductions; council members debated whether the net effect would materially increase general-fund cash because of cost-allocation accounting.
The St. Tammany Parish Council on a November meeting amended the proposed 2026 operating budget to remove planned merit and cost-of-living (COLA) increases and to impose a series of line-item reductions aimed at trimming expenses and addressing a projected 2027 general-fund shortfall.
Councilmember Cheryl Tanner introduced the amendment, saying the parish could face at least a $20 million general-fund deficit in 2027 and proposing removal of COLA/merit increases (about $1,000,000) and targeted cuts including $600,000 from Safe Haven, $356,000 to cover litigation not insured, $50,000 from council professional services, a $120,000 vehicle from the chief administrative officer’s budget, and the postponement or removal of several studies and capital purchases.
Annie Perkins, finance staff, told the council that because of cost-allocation accounting…
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